FAVE FIVE March 30, 2008

NEW YORK TIMES (March 30, 2008) 

HARDCOVER

1. CHANGE OF HEART by Jodi Picoult
2. THE APPEAL by John Grisham
3. REMEMBER ME? by Sophie Kinsella
4. DEAD HEAT by Joel C. Rosenberg
5. 7TH HEAVEN by James Patterson and Maxine Paetro

 PAPERBACK TRADE FICTION

1. NINETEEN MINUTES by Jodi Picoult
2. THE OTHER BOLEYN GIRL by Philippa Gregory
3. WATER FOR ELEPHANTS by Sara Gruen
4. THE FRIDAY NIGHT KNITTING CLUB by Kate Jacobs
5. THE KITE RUNNER by Khaled Hosseini 

PAPERBACK MASS-MARKET FICTION

1. I HEARD THAT SONG BEFORE by Mary Higgins Clark
2. OBSESSION by Jonathan Kellerman
3. NAUGHTY NEIGHBOR by Janet Evanovich
4. SACRED STONE by Clive Cussler and Craig Dirgo
5. THE 5TH HORSEMAN by James Patterson and Maxine Paetro 

HARDCOVER NONFICTION

1. BEAUTIFUL BOY by David Sheff
2. LOSING IT by Valerie Bertinelli
3. STORI TELLING by Tori Spelling with Hilary Liftin
4. IN DEFENSE OF FOOD by Michael Pollan
5. PREDICTABLY IRRATIONAL by Dan Ariely  

PAPERBACK NONFICTION

1. EAT, PRAY, LOVE by Elizabeth Gilbert
2. THREE CUPS OF TEA by Greg Mortenson and David Oliver Relin
3. THE AUDACITY OF HOPE by Barack Obama
4. JOHN ADAMS by David McCullough
5. DREAMS FROM MY FATHER by Barack Obama 

USA Today (based on sales through Sunday, March 23, 2008) 

FICTION AND NONFICTION

1. A New Earth by  Eckhart Tolle 
2. The Final Warning: A Maximum Ride Novel by James Patterson
3. Horton Hears A Who! by Dr. Seuss
4. Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules by Jeff Kinney
5. Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert

 Essence Magazine (March 2008) 

FICTION Hardcover

1. Waking with Enemies by Eric Jerome Dickey
2. Sweeter Than Honey by Mary B. Morrison
3. Sleeping with Strangers by Eric Jerome Dickey
4. Blonde Faith by Walter Mosley
5. Them by Nathan McCall

 FICTION Paperback

1. True to the Game II by Teri Woods
2. Still a Mistress by Tiphani
3. Still Hood by K’wan
4. Blood Kin by Robert T.S. Mickles, Sr.
5. Millionaire Mistress by Tiphani

 NONFICTION Hardcover

1. The Vixen Diaries by Karrine Steffans
2. Reposition Yourself by T.D. Jakes
3. Dear G-Spot by Zane
4. Gangsters of Harlem by Ron Chepesiuk
5. The Rose That Grew From Concrete by Tupac Shakur

 NONFICTION Paperback

1. Snakes in The Pulpit by Reuben Armstrong
2. The Willie Lynch Letter by Willie Lynch and Kashif Malik Hassan-el
3. The Black Biblical Heritage by John L. Johnson
4. As a Woman Thinketh by Dorothy J. Hulst
5. Failure Is Not an Option by Alan M. Blankstein

 CBA (March 2008) 

1. The Five Love Languages by Gary Chapman
2. 3:16 by Max Lucado
3. Love and Respect by Emerson Eggerichs
4. Quiet Strength by Tony Dungy
5. 90 Minutes in Heaven by Don Piper with Cecil Murphey

 ECPA (March 2008) 

1. Someday by Karen Kingsbury
2. Love and Respect by Emerson Eggerichs
3. The Five Love Languages by Gary Chapman
4. 3:16 Promise by Max Lucado
5. 3:16 by Max Lucado

Future Bestselling Authors March 27, 2008

I recently had the honor (and pleasure) of judging the Pencil Foundation’s Student Writers Showcase. This showcase is a writing competition for students (grades 3-12) in Metropolitan Nashville Public Schools. It is designed to encourage creativity, promote the importance of good communication skills, and complement and support the MNPS language arts curriculum. 

I judged the Short Story grade 7/8 category. Judges were asked to focus on creativity, quality of writing, character development, unity and command of the English language. I took my fifteen entries home over the Easter holiday expecting to make a few notes and choose my four top stories without much difficulty. After all, we were told the judging was our opinions—there were no right or wrong answers. 

I had no idea choosing my winners would turn into a three day ordeal. I was surprised that these stories were written by 12-14 year-olds. Not only did I scribble tons of notes in the margins, I found myself highlighting sentences that wowed me. Once I narrowed my fifteen stories to six, I emailed the coordinator of the competition and asked if it would be alright to publish selections from some of the stories on my blog. So with Ms. Troutman’s blessings, here are some excerpts from what I’m sure will be bestselling authors one day:

**(Remember these are 7th and 8th graders. There may be typos and minor grammar and spelling problems.)

• “The strongbox he had given her years before was his promise to never leave her—but that was before Germany began bombing London, lives were torn apart, and young men enlisted in the army…” 
• “I always knew that I would die this way, in my true love’s trembling hands. No, not in his hands, but by them. For he was a vampire.” 
• “I brushed aside the cascade of leafy vines that obscured the concrete gate from view.” 
• “He was coated in dried blood and dirt, giving him a look of something that had gotten stuck in some bad situations.” 
• “No matter how hard you fight in life, we all die in the end, and today was my day.” 
• “Ten crew members held on tight to anything available in order to stay on the floor of the rumbling monster.” 
• “As the impact loomed ahead, his pulse quickened and he grew very anxious. He watched the ground becoming more clearly defined. They passed low over trees, dense woods, and a thick layer of fog.” 
• “Hostility and repugnance created a line between and the whites.” 
• “The hate was splayed across the face[s] of the whites. The pride was strewn onto the faces of the marching black[s].”  
• “I feel her eyes acknowledging my self-inflicted scars that are etched up and sown my arms and the purple-blue markings wrapped around my body.” 
• “I watch as her fingers pound furiously against the keys, but it’s not beautiful music I hear.” 
• “No scream escaped me, but this was no act of bravery, no noble gesture to die with honor, for I had no energy and no honor.” 
• “I did not laugh at death, but welcomed its silent embrace as an escape from the torture that was living.” 
• “A small stone collided with my jaw, sending waves of pain through my head.”

They’re out to a good start, don’t you think?

 

Try it—you might like it March 24, 2008

Sharlene MacLaren releases Courting Emma, the third and final installment in her Christian Historical Little Hickman Creek Series. 

Emma Browning is the roughest, toughest woman in Kentucky’s Little Hickman Creek. As owner of Emma’s Boardinghouse, she has the daily task of dealing with unruly tenants. When a childhood acquaintance, Jonathan Atkins, assumes the post as Little Hickman’s new pastor, Emma strives to maintain her unwavering composure. Instead, his selfless spirit, heart of compassion, and strong faith work to soften her heart. 

I volunteered to be an influencer for Courting Emma because I wanted to read a genre I usually don’t read. Actually I don’t anything historical—movies, plays, books. Just the mention of a movie set in 1900 or before makes me scowl and remark “I don’t like period pieces”. Needless to say, I started the book expecting to be bored with the setting, characters, and language. WRONG! Emma Browning, Ezra Browning, Jon Atkins, and the potpourri of characters from Little Hickman, Kentucky won me over. I read while I waited for appointments, at night before bed, and in the mornings before work. I can’t say Sharlene’s book has completely converted me, but it has encouraged me to this genre another try.  

******************** 

Each book in MacLaren’s series depicts life in the late 1800s in the town of Little Hickman, Kentucky; an earthy, unsophisticated farming community nestled amongst Kentucky’s rich green grasses and mossy hillsides.  Other titles in the series include Loving Liza Jane (April 2007) and Sarah, My Beloved (October 2007).  

 

Born and raised in west Michigan, Sharlene MacLaren attended Spring Arbor University.  Upon graduating with an education degree way back in 1971, she traveled internationally for a year with a small singing ensemble, then came home and married one of her childhood friends. Recently retired after teaching elementary school for 31 years, ‘Shar’ enjoys reading, writing, singing in the church choir and worship teams, traveling, and spending time with her family.

FAVE FIVE March 23, 2008

NEW YORK TIMES (March 23, 2008) 

HARDCOVER FICTION

1. CHANGE OF HEART by Jodi Picoult
2. THE APPEAL by John Grisham
3. REMEMBER ME? by Sophie Kinsella
4. 7TH HEAVEN by James Patterson and Maxine Paetro
5. KILLER HEAT by Linda Fairstein

 PAPERBACK TRADE FICTION

1. NINETEEN MINUTES by Jodi Picoult
2. THE OTHER BOLEYN GIRL by Philippa Gregory
3. WATER FOR ELEPHANTS by Sara Gruen
4. THE FRIDAY NIGHT KNITTING CLUB by Kate Jacobs
5. THE PILLARS OF THE EARTH by Ken Follett 

PAPERBACK MASS-MARKET FICTION

1. I HEARD THAT SONG BEFORE by Mary Higgins Clark
2. OBSESSION by Jonathan Kellerman
3. NAUGHTY NEIGHBOR by Janet Evanovich
4. THE 5TH HORSEMAN by James Patterson and Maxine Paetro
5. SACRED STONE by Clive Cussler and Craig Dirgo 

HARDCOVER NONFICTION

1. LOSING IT by Valerie Bertinelli
2. BEAUTIFUL BOY by David Sheff
3. STORI TELLING by Tori Spelling with Hilary Liftin
4. IN DEFENSE OF FOOD by Michael Pollan
5. LIBERAL FASCISM by Jonah Goldberg  

PAPERBACK NONFICTION

1. EAT, PRAY, LOVE by Elizabeth Gilbert
2. THREE CUPS OF TEA by Greg Mortenson and David Oliver Relin
3. THE AUDACITY OF HOPE by Barack Obama
4. DREAMS FROM MY FATHER by Barack Obama
5. INTO THE WILD by Jon Krakauer

 USA Today (based on sales through Sunday, March 16, 2008) 

FICTION AND NONFICTION

1. A New Earth by Eckhart Tolle (NF)
2. Change of Heart by Jodi Picoult (F)
3. The Other Boleyn Girl by Philippa Gregory (F)
4. Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert (NF)
5. Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules by Jeff Kinney (F)

 Essence Magazine (March 2008) 

FICTION Hardcover

1. Waking with Enemies by Eric Jerome Dickey
2. Sweeter Than Honey by Mary B. Morrison
3. Sleeping with Strangers by Eric Jerome Dickey
4. Blonde Faith by Walter Mosley
5. Them by Nathan McCall

 FICTION Paperback

1. True to the Game II by Teri Woods
2. Still a Mistress by Tiphani
3. Still Hood by K’wan
4. Blood Kin by Robert T.S. Mickles, Sr.
5. Millionaire Mistress by Tiphani

 NONFICTION Hardcover

1. The Vixen Diaries by Karrine Steffans
2. Reposition Yourself by T.D. Jakes
3. Dear G-Spot by Zane
4. Gangsters of Harlem by Ron Chepesiuk
5. The Rose That Grew From Concrete by Tupac Shakur

 NONFICTION Paperback

1. Snakes in The Pulpit by Reuben Armstrong
2. The Willie Lynch Letter by Willie Lynch and Kashif Malik Hassan-el
3. The Black Biblical Heritage by John L. Johnson
4. As a Woman Thinketh by Dorothy J. Hulst
5. Failure Is Not an Option by Alan M. Blankstein

 CBA (March 2008) 

1. The Five Love Languages by Gary Chapman
2. 3:16 by Max Lucado
3. Love and Respect by Emerson Eggerichs
4. Quiet Strength by Tony Dungy
5. 90 Minutes in Heaven by Don Piper with Cecil Murphey

 ECPA (March 2008) 

1. Someday by Karen Kingsbury
2. Love and Respect by Emerson Eggerichs
3. The Five Love Languages by Gary Chapman
4. 3:16 Promise by Max Lucado
5. 3:16 by Max Lucado

I Serve A Risen Savior, Do You? March 21, 2008

                                          

 

 

 

                                   

 

 

I Won! March 17, 2008

When I checked my email Saturday, I noticed an email with the subject ‘winners’. This is the email account I use for the ACWF loops, so a message entitled ‘winners’ could be anything (You’re a winner, we’re all winners, I want to be a winner). Since I had over 50 messages, I started to delete the email, but I noticed it was addressed to me, not the loop.  

Was I surprised when Tracy Ruckman congratulated me for winning honorable mention in Pix-n-Pens’ back cover blurb contest. The winning submission for my WIP The Same Old No-good So-and-So is posted on the Pix-n-Pens’ blog.

My uncle wanted to know if I won $$. (I didn’t) I won something better—a free critique of my first chapter. May not be much to you, but to a pre-pubbed writer, it’s worth millions.

 

FAVE FIVE March 16, 2008

NEW YORK TIMES (March 16, 2008) 

HARDCOVER FICTION

1. CHANGE OF HEART by Jodi Picoult
2. THE APPEAL by John Grisham
3. REMEMBER ME? by Sophie Kinsella
4. 7TH HEAVEN by James Patterson and Maxine Paetro
5. HONOR THYSELF by Danielle Steel

 PAPERBACK TRADE FICTION

1. THE OTHER BOLEYN GIRL by Philippa Gregory
2. NINETEEN MINUTES by Jodi Picoult
3. WATER FOR ELEPHANTS by Sara Gruen
4.  THE PILLARS OF THE EARTH by Ken Follett
5.  THE FRIDAY NIGHT KNITTING CLUB by Kate Jacobs 

PAPERBACK MASS-MARKET FICTION

1. THE PERFECT WIFE by Victoria Alexander
2. I HEARD THAT SONG BEFORE by Mary Higgins Clark
3. OBSESSION by Jonathan Kellerman
4. NAUGHTY NEIGHBOR by Janet Evanovich
5. THE 5TH HORSEMAN by James Patterson and Maxine Paetro 

HARDCOVER NONFICTION

1. LOSING IT by Valerie Bertinelli
2. BEAUTIFUL BOY by David Sheff
3. LIBERAL FASCISM by Jonah Goldberg
4. IN DEFENSE OF FOOD by Michael Pollan
5. PREDICTABLY IRRATIONAL by Dan Ariely  

PAPERBACK NONFICTION

1. EAT, PRAY, LOVE by Elizabeth Gilbert
2. THREE CUPS OF TEA by Greg Mortenson and David Oliver Relin
3. THE AUDACITY OF HOPE by Barack Obama
4. DREAMS FROM MY FATHER by Barack Obama
5. 90 MINUTES IN HEAVEN by Don Piper with Cecil Murphey   

USA Today (based on sales through Sunday, March 9, 2008) 

FICTION AND NONFICTION

1. A New Earth by Eckhart Tolle (NF)
2. Change of Heart by Jodi Picoult (F)
3. The Other Boleyn Girl by Philippa Gregory (F)
4. Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert (NF)
5. Losing It by Valerie Bertinelli (NF)

 Essence Magazine (March 2008) 

FICTION Hardcover

1. Waking with Enemies by Eric Jerome Dickey
2. Sweeter Than Honey by Mary B. Morrison
3. Sleeping with Strangers by Eric Jerome Dickey
4. Blonde Faith by Walter Mosley
5. Them by Nathan McCall

 FICTION Paperback

1. True to the Game II by Teri Woods
2. Still a Mistress by Tiphani
3. Still Hood by K’wan
4. Blood Kin by Robert T.S. Mickles, Sr.
5. Millionaire Mistress by Tiphani

 NONFICTION Hardcover

1. The Vixen Diaries by Karrine Steffans
2. Reposition Yourself by T.D. Jakes
3. Dear G-Spot by Zane
4. Gangsters of Harlem by Ron Chepesiuk
5. The Rose That Grew From Concrete by Tupac Shakur

 NONFICTION Paperback

1. Snakes in The Pulpit by Reuben Armstrong
2. The Willie Lynch Letter by Willie Lynch and Kashif Malik Hassan-el
3. The Black Biblical Heritage by John L. Johnson
4. As a Woman Thinketh by Dorothy J. Hulst
5. Failure Is Not an Option by Alan M. Blankstein

 CBA (March 2008) 

1. The Five Love Languages by Gary Chapman
2. 3:16 by Max Lucado
3. Love and Respect by Emerson Eggerichs
4. Quiet Strength by Tony Dungy
5. 90 Minutes in Heaven by Don Piper with Cecil Murphey

 ECPA (March 2008) 

1. Someday by Karen Kingsbury
2. Love and Respect by Emerson Eggerichs
3. The Five Love Languages by Gary Chapman
4. 3:16 Promise by Max Lucado
5. 3:16 by Max Lucado

PROLIFIC WITH WORDS March 14, 2008

March 15 marks the birthday of my late pastor, A.Z. Hall, Jr. He was called to heaven February 5, 2007, just shy of his sixty-fourth birthday. 

*

Pastor Hall was well-known in the Church Of God In Christ, Inc. and most people who knew him would agree that he was quite prolific with words. When I became a member of the church in 1995, he had just published a book entitled So You Want to Know Your Church, a book on “catechism in the Church Of God In Christ”. Not only was the book used to indoctrinate new members in our local church, the national church, pastors and members worldwide used information from the book as a resource in their churches and on their websites. Two of Pastor Hall’s devotional readings (“Family Matters” and “Salty Christians”) were also included in The African-American Devotional Bible (Zondervan, 1997), a bible created in partnership with the Congress of National Black Churches.  

* 

Whether spoken or written, my pastor’s words had a way of grabbing your attention and holding it until the very end. On Sundays, I’d find myself fervently taking notes, often writing down quotes that I still have posted on bulletin boards, mirrors and the refrigerator. 

*

His writing style stood out. The words he chose; the graceful way they flowed. He didn’t use your everyday vocabulary, but his words were never above the grasp of the ordinary man.  

*

As I sat in our little church on February 12, 2007 reading his obituary, I smiled.  

“During hid formative years, he received a sound foundation in Christian ethics and virtues through the godly example of his parents.” 

“Elder Hall’s service to the leaders of the church caused him to be known as the servant’s servant. This service, coupled with his administrative experience was rewarded at the Eighth Quadrennial Election of the General Officers…” 

“It would be an exercise in futility to try and name all the persons who will hold fond and loving memories of this “Servant of the Lord”.” 

Even in death, his elegant words permeated my soul and my spirit. 

*

HAPPY BIRTHDAY PASTOR HALL!

MUSIC, UH, WORDS TO MY EARS March 11, 2008

I recently bought a MP3 player. Not because I’m a big music buff, but I convinced myself that I needed it for conference workshops and on-line course downloads. The player has a voice recorder—I could use it to record notes, interviews, etc.  It could also be used to download audio books, which brings me to the reason for this post.  

* 

The insert within the packaging advertised a free 30-day trial membership and one free download at one of those audio book services. I’ve never been a fan of listening to stories on tape, CD, etc. I have one friend who loves to rent audio books when she travels. I, on the other hand, have a problem concentrating on more than one thing at a time (i.e. driving). But I figured I have so many books on my reading list I could listen to some of them while I’m cleaning or exercising.  I went to the website, searched for a few of the books from my list and listened to the sample recordings. I’m ashamed to say that by the time the five-minute sample ended, I was well on my way to la-la land. Then my mind went back to my childhood and those pre-school storybooks that came with narration on a 45 rpm record. You know the ones that beeped and the narrator announced ‘turn the page’, because you couldn’t read the words yet. Maybe if I should buy the book and the audio book. It might be a little hard to read along while I’m on the treadmill, but I can always curl up in my favorite chair and read (or listen or whatever). 

*

What about you—do you like audio books, Bible on tape, etc.?

*

Fave Five March 9, 2008

NEW YORK TIMES (March 9, 2008) 

HARDCOVER FICTION

1. THE APPEAL by John Grisham
2. REMEMBER ME? by Sophie Kinsella
3. 7TH HEAVEN by James Patterson and Maxine Paetro
4. STRANGERS IN DEATH by Nora Roberts writing as J.D. Robb
5.  THE OUTLAW DEMON WAILS by Kim Harrison

 PAPERBACK TRADE FICTION

1. THE OTHER BOLEYN GIRL by Philippa Gregory
2. NINETEEN MINUTES by Jodi Picoult
3. THE PILLARS OF THE EARTH by Ken Follett
4. WATER FOR ELEPHANTS by Sara Gruen
5. NO COUNTRY FOR OLD MEN by Cormac McCarthy  

PAPERBACK MASS-MARKET FICTION

1. REVELATION by Karen Traviss
2. PREDATORY GAME by Christine Feehan
3. NAUGHTY NEIGHBOR by Janet Evanovich
4. I HEARD THAT SONG BEFORE by Mary Higgins Clark
5. SISTERS by Danielle Steel  

HARDCOVER NONFICTION

1. LOSING IT by Valerie Bertinelli
2. LIBERAL FASCISM by Jonah Goldberg
3. BEAUTIFUL BOY by David Sheff
4. IN DEFENSE OF FOOD by Michael Pollan
5. PREDICTABLY IRRATIONAL by Dan Ariely  

PAPERBACK NONFICTION

1. EAT, PRAY, LOVE by Elizabeth Gilbert
2. THREE CUPS OF TEA by Greg Mortenson and David Oliver Relin
3. THE AUDACITY OF HOPE by Barack Obama
4. DREAMS FROM MY FATHER by Barack Obama
5. 90 MINUTES IN HEAVEN by Don Piper with Cecil Murphey

USA Today (based on sales through March 2, 2008)

FICTION AND NONFICTION

1. A New Earth by Eckhart Tolle (NF)
2. Losing It by Valerie Bertinelli (NF)
3. The Other Boleyn Girl by Philippa Gregory (F)
4. Remember Me? by Sophie Kinsella (F)
5. EAT, PRAY, LOVE by Elizabeth Gilbert (NF)

Essence Magazine (March 2008) 

FICTION Hardcover

1. Waking with Enemies by Eric Jerome Dickey
2. Sweeter Than Honey by Mary B. Morrison
3. Sleeping with Strangers by Eric Jerome Dickey
4. Blonde Faith by Walter Mosley
5. Them by Nathan McCall

 FICTION Paperback

1. True to the Game II by Teri Woods
2. Still a Mistress by Tiphani
3. Still Hood by K’wan
4. Blood Kin by Robert T.S. Mickles, Sr.
5. Millionaire Mistress by Tiphani

 NONFICTION Hardcover

1. The Vixen Diaries by Karrine Steffans
2. Reposition Yourself by T.D. Jakes
3. Dear G-Spot by Zane
4. Gangsters of Harlem by Ron Chepesiuk
5. The Rose That Grew From Concrete by Tupac Shakur

 NONFICTION Paperback

1. Snakes in The Pulpit by Reuben Armstrong
2. The Willie Lynch Letter by Willie Lynch and Kashif Malik Hassan-el
3. The Black Biblical Heritage by John L. Johnson
4. As a Woman Thinketh by Dorothy J. Hulst
5. Failure Is Not an Option by Alan M. Blankstein

 CBA (March 2008) 

1. The Five Love Languages by Gary Chapman
2. 3:16 by Max Lucado
3. Love and Respect by Emerson Eggerichs
4. Quiet Strength by Tony Dungy
5. 90 Minutes in Heaven by Don Piper with Cecil Murphey

 ECPA (March 2008) 

1. Someday by Karen Kingsbury
2. Love and Respect by Emerson Eggerichs
3. The Five Love Languages by Gary Chapman
4. 3:16 Promise by Max Lucado
5. 3:16 by Max Lucado